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Sony Ericsson X1 gets promising firmware update
We don't have confirmation whether BlackBerry connectivity is in there, but that rumored new firmware release for the X1 is apparently out and about. It's supposed to make the phone generally more responsive -- we always like to hear that -- but you'll also get a brighter keyboard backlight, improved messaging, and better signal strength. In other words, they seem to have hit a bunch of things that we wouldn't imagine could be fixed with a firmware update alone, so we're counting our blessings -- as long as this doesn't think they're allowed to slack on getting that X2 to market, that is.[Via CoolSmartPhone]
New Sony Ericsson X1 firmware with BlackBerry Connect in the works?
SEMC Blog -- which tends to have an inside line on these matters -- is claiming that a new firmware for the awesome-but-pricey X1 is just around the corner. That in itself isn't really notable since we've seen new firmwares for the device hit in the past, but the juicy morsel here seems to be that the latest build will include "support of BlackBerry connection," which we take to mean integrated BlackBerry Connect. That'll certainly improve the X1's street cred in the business world, but we can't help but wonder whether it's too late to eke out a major sales push on this one -- especially now that buzz over the X2 has swelled to a rolling boil.
Lenovo's X1 for China is full of KIRF, win
Okay, there's some amount of originality here, but enough to justify a Red Dot design award? What you're looking at here is the award-winning Lenovo X1 -- as opposed to, say, the Sony Ericsson X1 -- which is a triband EDGE handset Lenovo sells in China. To us, it looks like an Instinct with a slide-out keypad and TouchWiz, but what do we know? Coincidentally, Lenovo calls this totally original UI "Touch Dream," which sounds just a little bit (okay, a whole lot) like an HTC device. So, to summarize: Sony Ericsson and HTC branding, Samsung design, made by Lenovo. Right then. [Thanks, Bin Xu]
Panasonic 2009 VIERA HDTVs official pricing revealed
Just in case the HDGuru didn't carry enough credibility for you, Panasonic has finally issued a press release with prices and shipping months for most of its 2009 VIERA brand lineup. We've taken a peek, and everything appears to line up with the leaked figures, including that slim wireless HD equipped Z1 and its $5,999 pricetag, while only copping to a summer ship date. The rest of the lineup proceeds downward in pricing and features from there, the wall-busting details are but a mere click of the read link away.
HTC Touch Pro2 vs. Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1... fight!
It may not have been a fair fight to put the mighty X1 up against the original Touch Pro -- the X1's got the better display and oodles of sex appeal -- but HTC's already back for round two with an all-new device. Is it an even match this time around? The final call will probably have to wait a couple months for production Touch Pro2s to start circulating, but in the meantime, we now have a few side-by-side shots to ponder. "Too much awesome hardware" is a great problem to have, isn't it?[Via WMPoweruser.com]
Panasonic's CES 2009 Viera HDTVs get US pricing and dates
Panasonic announced a slew of Viera TVs at CES, and although we already knew when they'd be making their Japanese debut, US info has been hard to come by. That's starting to change: pricing details are leaking out, and CNET and HDGuru have managed to assemble a pretty exhaustive list of what to expect and how much it'll cost. Of interest, Panny's still going strong on the plasma tip, so those of you aching for the best picture possible but unwilling to shell out for the dead-ended Kuro will still have plenty of options -- there's a set at every point between the 42-inch 720p X1 at $899, the 50-inch 1080p S1 with a nicer NEO-PDP panel for $1,799, the 50-inch THX-certified G10 with VieraCast for $1,999 and the as-yet-unpriced, one-inch thick wireless 54-inch Z1. As for LCDs, it's a similar story at smaller sizes: you've got sets ranging from the budget $499 720p 32-inch C12 to the $1,099 120Hz 1080p 37-inch G1 with Motion Focus and a 20,000:1 contrast ratio. Check all the info at the read links; we'll be scouring the wire praying for news that Panny's bought up the Kuro tech from Pioneer.Read - HDGuruRead - CNET
Sony Ericsson outs CNN, Skype, Mytopia panels for XPERIA X1
Sony Ericsson's Panels interface hasn't taken off the way HTC's TouchFLO 3D has, but it's still a nice way to momentarily forget that you're being forced to use Windows Mobile 6.1. At any rate, those who plunked down some eight bills to procure an XPERIA X1 should probably give this a look, as SE has just unveiled the latest Panels for its first (and likely last) HTC-designed smartphone. Available starting in mid-March, users will be able to suck down CNN, Skype, Mytopia and 'On the Road' Panels. For specific details on what each will provide, you know where to head.
Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 gets firmware update
XDA-Developers forum member PavelX1 has posted up info on a pile of XPERIA X1 updates he glimpsed on EMMA (Sony Ericsson's official service software). ROM version has migrated from 1.02.936.3 to 1.03.936.6 and is labeled as R2A. Of course, there's no word on what the official changes are but first reports say the X1 now boots quicker and attaches to network faster. Apparently the SEUS (Sony Ericsson Update Service) isn't quite telling the truth when users are attempting to grab at the update, but proceeding through and updating anyway seems to be doing the trick. Usual cautionary advice from us is to read before attacking this as an ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure.[Thanks, Deniz]
Panasonic expands VIERA HDTV lineup at CES 2009
We already gave you some face time with Panasonic's latest and greatest VIERA televisions, so now we're passing along the official word on the new S1, G1 and X1 sets. Panny's growing its VIERA range from five LCD models in 2008 to twelve in 2009, and the families pretty much cover the range of desired sizes. There's far too much detail to cover in this space, but the details you're lusting after are just a click away.
Panasonic officially outs the iPod-lovin' VIERA X1 HDTV
Panny wasn't about to let JVC unleash a new range of iPod-friendly HDTVs without hitting back with a few of its own, so that explains the four new HDTV / iPod entertainment systems. The 19-inch TC-L19X1, 26-inch TC-L26X1, 31.5-inch TC-L32X1 and the 37-inch TC-L37X1 all come bundled with a universal iPod dock that does exactly what you think it would: bring iPod-based media onto your TV while charging your PMP. Pricing and availability? Take a wild, wild guess.
Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1a now available at SonyStyle
It's been tough getting out of the starting gate for Sony Ericsson's X1a (that's the Americanized version of the X1), particularly when you realize that it was supposed to ship en masse way back on Black Friday of last year. Oh sure, a select few have managed to procure one of the QWERTY-packin' WinMo powerhouses, but we've heard far more complaints about "no stock" than tips on excess inventory. Now, however, SonyStyle.com has the handset listed as in stock, with an estimated ship date of tomorrow. Furthermore, UnwiredView is reporteding that many of Sony's retail locations are also well stocked with the unlocked smartphone. Of note, SonyStyle is offering up the X1a in silver, but there's always spray paint if you're lusting after a black model like the one we tried out.[Via UnwiredView]
Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 developing cracks?
Sheesh, what's up with top tier handsets cracking this year? First the iPhone 3G, now SE's XPERIA X1? A curiously high amount of cracking complaints are starting to build around the web, possibly indicating that a quality issue could be somewhat widespread. We're hesitant to believe that this here quirk is even close to happening everywhere, but it is somewhat suspicious that HTC and SE have recently been rumored to be going their separate ways after this phone has faded from the limelight. At any rate, we've no choice but to poll our own audience here, so have you seen unwanted cracks appear in your X1? If so, hit the read link -- you definitely aren't alone in all of this.[Via WMPowerUser]
Fuze, X1, and a couple Touch Pros: the ultimate WinMo smackdown
2008 was, to say the least, a banner year for Windows Mobile hardware. Windows Mobile software... well, that's another story; we're still patiently waiting for the same thorough overhaul we'd hoped for years ago, but in the meantime, manufacturers have done an absolutely stellar job of taking the platform to its limits and packaging it in ways that could make any smartphone envious. For this first time, VGA screens (and beyond) have come to market en masse, and -- unlike the 8525s, Tilts, Moguls, and XV6800s of yesteryear, the latest batch of QWERTY sliders look like they've actually got a lick of intelligent industrial design in their DNA.So these puppies are similar, yes, but they're not the same -- so let's take a quick look at what separates the Sprint Touch Pro, from the Verizon Touch Pro, from the AT&T Fuze, from the Sony Ericsson X1 (whew!).%Gallery-38766%
Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1, how would you change it?
Just like last week's How Would You Change, the latest episode is also dealing with one of the snazziest new smartphones to hit the US market. It's certainly not without its fair share of niggles, though, so why not head on over if you've a brilliant idea of how to make SE's XPERIA X1 better? Sure, it's all fun and games, but what the heck is wrong with fun and games? Nothing, that's what.
How would you change Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1?
Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 hasn't been the easiest handset to procure here on US soil, despite being "available" since Black Friday. Still, we know hardcore HTC / SE fanatics have figured out a way to get their palms in touch with the X1a (or X1i for international users). You already heard our spill on the handset, but now we're interested in finding out how you'd tweak things if given the all-important keys to the design lab. Would you keep everything the same and just add Android? Would you rework the keyboard? Swap out the touchscreen with a capacitive replacement? Make it available only in turquoise and lime? It's a pretty safe bet that this isn't the last Xx smartphone you'll see from SE, so your thoughts on the matter may actually prove beneficial in time. And... go!
Sony Ericsson rumored to be moving away from HTC for WinMo phones
We tend to think Sony Ericsson and partner HTC pretty much nailed the X1 -- at least to the extent a WinMo 6.1 phone can be "nailed" -- but for whatever reason, it looks like the company might be looking elsewhere to continue development of its Microsoft-based lineup. DigiTimes (which, granted, doesn't have a spotless record when it comes to this sort of stuff) is quoting a Chinese paper in saying that SE is cheating on HTC with Mobinnova to produce its second XPERIA model, and what's more, they're suggesting that Sony Ericsson's entire business partnership with HTC will draw to a close when the final X1 rolls off the assembly line. We're seriously unsure why they'd go their separate ways after creating one of the most beautiful phones of the year, but hey, business is business.[Via the::unwired]
Sony Ericsson's US X1 back in business this week, hopefully
If you've had trouble finding the Sony Ericsson X1 on American shelves since its supposed release on Black Friday, you're not alone. It seems that stock was pulled shortly after release and sent back to headquarters, possibly for an ultra-last-minute firmware update designed to fix an undisclosed bug of some sort -- but the good news is that phones should start to filter back into their natural habitats this week. Look at it this way: at least you got to hang onto your 800 frickin' dollars for a few days longer, right?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Keepin' it real fake, part CLXX: the highly confused (and confusing) iFone x1
How would you improve the XPERIA X1? If you answered, "remove the keyboard and add a mangled iPhone UI," then the iFone x1 will be right up your alley. Of course, this ain't the first phony X1 we've seen, but it might be our fave. What can we say about this one? It appears to be running Windows CE, it quite possibly supports dual SIM cards, and it has an FM receiver (probably). Does that excite you? In the mood for a good laugh? In either case, be sure to check out the hilarious translation below, and don't forget to peep the video after the break.[Via Pocket Now]
Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1a available for pre-order at Best Buy
As one astute tipster's pointed out, the XPERIA X1a is now available for pre-order on the Best Buy site. Now that the phone's really, finally, almost here are you totally psyched? Or have you been too busy playing with your G1 to notice? Like we saw last week, the phone will retail for $799.99 in its unlocked form, and there's no word yet on pricing with a plan. Order now and they claim you'll receive the phone as soon as November 28th. So... what are you waiting for?[Thanks, Ian]
The handsets of GITEX 2008: HTC, SE and TechFaith
Given that Dubai pretty much has it out for every other spectacle in the entire universe, it's no shock to see the mecca pick up a major consumer electronics trade show of its own. This year's GITEX 2008 has come and gone, but there are still images left to remind us of the show that was. PocketPCDubai was fortunate enough to tour the show floor with a camera in hand, and while the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 wasn't a shocker, there were quite a few intriguing WinMo handsets in attendance. For a look at what all TechFaith had to offer (along with a few shots of the luscious Touch HD from HTC), head on down to the read link.
